About This Book
Reach for this book when you want to help your child understand the difference between family bonds and legal rights, or when exploring how traditions carry us through difficult history. It is a powerful tool for explaining the significance of Reconstruction and the dignity found in having one's identity and family officially recognized by society. Through the eyes of young Ellen, the story follows a family as they travel to a courthouse to legally record a marriage that began long ago during slavery. It deals with the legacy of the Civil War with a focus on joy, pride, and the reclaiming of agency. Ideal for children ages 5 to 9, this book offers a gentle but honest entry point into Black history, emphasizing that love and family are worth celebrating and protecting.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book depicts the injustice of slavery and the denial of legal rights to enslaved people, which may be upsetting for some children. The approach is direct but grounded in the emotional safety of the family unit. It is secular in its focus on legal rights and cultural tradition, and the resolution is deeply hopeful and empowering.
